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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tangled Trading Cards

I’ve been having a lot of fun creating Zentangles since I first blogged about them last month. I have a handful of patterns that I come back to again and again in my Zentangles, and beyond that I tend to consult my Totally Tangled book for new ideas and patterns to try.

The “Zen” in Zentangle reflects the fact that the repetitive patterns keep me focused, yet also relaxed, to the point of being a kind “artistic meditation” (a phrase used on the official Zentangle web site). Zentangles look so complex, and yet are probably simpler to create than many art forms because they build on simple pen strokes, applied over and over again. All those simple pen strokes can build up to something pretty interesting to look at.

Recently, I paired my interest in tangling with my love of Artist Trading Cards (ATCs), 2-1/2x3-1/2 inch works of art created to be traded among those who make them. An ATC can be photographed, painted, collaged, stitched, drawn—anything!—so I realized they could be “tangled” too.

I love working on this size. Even though the “official” Zentangle site recommended tangling in 3x3 squares, I was just drawing drawing squares freehand, and making them much larger. Creating a tangled ATC is quick, and feeds my “need to produce results”!

5 comments:

Genie
said...

Andria, I love looking at your art. They remind me about a friend from church, Janice Cooper. She would sit next to me during church and always carried a small sketch book in which she was always doodling. Little did I know then that she is quite an artist and she uses her doodling to create some fantastic painting. Here is her website - thought you might like to check out her work. http://jcooperartist.com

Welcome!

As a writer and mixed-media artist, I love to explore creativity and make art in the broadest sense of the term. As a mother, I consider my two daughters my greatest creative act, but beyond that I write and dabble in collage, mixed-media and assemblage projects, art journaling, card making, and altered art. “Drawing Near” is the blog that chronicles my creative pursuits, while “Living Stones” is the blog that explores topics of faith, prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship and service. My day-to-day life as a stay-at-home mother continues to revolve around meals, laundry, crafts, trips to school, a living room full of toys, family phone calls, church activities, reading, journaling, and exploring my creative side. It is not hard to fill the days with two spirited daughters, a “perfect-for-me” husband, and a determination to keep life interesting!

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My other blog, Living Stones, will be updated two to three times a month with posts related to the Living Stones Women's Ministry, which began meeting in my home in February 2014. Blog entries will focus on Bible study, prayer, mission/service, fellowship, and ideas related to our discussions during our meetings. All are welcome to visit, read, and join the conversation!

Today's Thought

Are you doing what you love, or just what is expected of you? (Anthony Peters)